Paper Feed Cartridge

ABSTRACT

This paper feed cartridge includes a paper storage member for storing papers supplied to an image generating apparatus and a paper push-up member provided on the bottom of the paper storage member for receiving the papers thereon and pushing up the papers to a position for coming into contact with a paper feed roller provided on a paper supply port of the image generating apparatus, while the paper push-up member integrally includes a notched or hole-shaped relief portion for preventing the paper push-up member from coming into contact with the paper feed roller when rotating in a paper push-up direction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a paper feed cartridge, and more particularly, it relates to a paper feed cartridge comprising a paper storage member for storing papers supplied to an image generating apparatus.

2. Description of the Background Art

A paper feed cartridge comprising a paper storage member for storing papers supplied to an image generating apparatus is known in general, as disclosed in each of Japanese Patent Laying-Open Nos. 2000-203734 and 9-240865 (1997) and Japanese Patent No. 3449149, for example.

The aforementioned Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2000-203734 discloses a paper feed cassette comprising a bottom plate (paper push-up member) receiving recording papers (papers) and vertically rotating about a support member. In the paper feed cassette (paper feed cartridge) described in Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2000-203734, the rotating bottom plate comes into contact with a paper feed roller of the body of a recording apparatus, and is provided with a frictional member for noise control on a prescribed portion coming into contact with the paper feed roller.

The aforementioned Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 9-240865 discloses a paper feed tray (paper feed cartridge) having a pressure plate (paper push-up member) upwardly pressed against a paper feed roller provided on an apparatus body and a spring arranged under the pressure plate for pushing up the same from below. In the paper feed tray (paper feed cartridge) described in Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 9-240865, a pad is provided on a prescribed portion of the pressure plate coming into contact with the paper feed roller for preventing the paper feed roller from abrasion resulting from friction.

The aforementioned Japanese Patent No. 3449149 discloses a tray (paper feed cartridge) having a tray plate (paper push-up member) receiving papers and a spring arranged under the tray plate for pushing up the same from below. In the tray (paper feed cartridge) described in Japanese Patent No. 3449149, the spring pushes up the tray plate, thereby bringing the tray plate into contact with a paper feed roller.

In the paper feed cassette (paper feed cartridge) described in the aforementioned Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2000-203734, however, the frictional member is separately provided on the prescribed portion of the bottom plate in order to suppress noise resulting from friction between the paper feed roller and the bottom plate, whereby the number of components is disadvantageously increased. Further, the paper feed roller may be abraded due to friction between the same and the frictional member provided on the bottom plate.

In the paper feed tray described in the aforementioned Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 9-240865, the pad is separately provided on the prescribed portion of the pressure plate in order to prevent the paper feed roller from abrasion resulting from friction between the same and the pressure plate, whereby the number of components is disadvantageously increased. Further, noise may disadvantageously result from the friction between the paper feed roller and the pressure plate.

In the tray described in the aforementioned Japanese Patent No. 3449149, the paper feed roller is disadvantageously abraded due to friction between the same and the tray plate. Further, noise may disadvantageously result from the friction between the paper feed roller and the tray plate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been proposed in order to solve the aforementioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a paper feed cartridge capable of suppressing abrasion of a paper feed roller and noise without increasing the number of components.

A paper feed cartridge according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a paper storage member for storing papers supplied to an image generating apparatus and a paper push-up member provided on the bottom of the paper storage member for receiving the papers thereon and pushing up the papers to a position for coming into contact with a paper feed roller provided on a paper supply port of the image generating apparatus, while the paper push-up member integrally includes a notched or hole-shaped relief portion for preventing the paper push-up member from coming into contact with the paper feed roller when rotating in a paper push-up direction.

As hereinabove described, the paper feed cartridge according to the first aspect comprises the paper push-up member pushing up the papers to the position for coming into contact with the paper feed roller provided on the paper supply port of the image generating apparatus while the paper push-up member integrally includes the notched or hole-shaped relief portion for preventing the paper push-up member from coming into contact with the paper feed roller when rotating in the paper push-up direction so that the relief portion can prevent the paper push-up member and the paper feed roller from coming into contact with each other, whereby the paper feed roller can be prevented from abrasion resulting from friction between the paper push-up member and the paper feed roller with no additional member for preventing the paper feed roller from abrasion. Thus, abrasion of the paper feed roller can be suppressed without increasing the number of components. Further, the relief portion integrally provided on the paper push-up member can suppress noise resulting from friction between the paper push-up member and the paper feed roller, whereby the paper feed roller can be prevented from noise without increasing the number of components.

In the aforementioned paper feed cartridge according to the first aspect, an end of the relief portion of the paper push-up member opposite to a paper feed direction is preferably arranged between the axis of the paper feed roller of the image generating apparatus and the outermost peripheral portion of the paper feed roller opposite to the paper feed direction in plan view. According to this structure, the relief portion of the minimum necessary size is provided only on the portion coming into contact with the paper feed roller, whereby the paper push-up member can be inhibited from reduction in the force for pushing up the papers due to reduction of the area for supporting the papers resulting from the provision of the relief portion. Therefore, the papers can be reliably brought into contact with the paper feed roller.

In the aforementioned paper feed cartridge according to the first aspect, the paper push-up member preferably further integrally includes a protrusion for further pushing up the papers on a surface opposite to the surface receiving the papers. According to this structure, the papers can be further pushed up by the extension length of the protrusion, whereby the papers can be further reliably brought into contact with the paper feed roller. Further, the protrusion is so integrally provided on the paper push-up member that increase in the number of components can be suppressed.

In the aforementioned paper feed cartridge according to the first aspect, the paper push-up member preferably further integrally includes an engaging portion provided on an end opposite to the relief portion for rotatably engaging with the paper storage member. According to this structure, increase in the number of components can be suppressed even when the engaging portion is provided.

In the aforementioned paper feed cartridge according to the first aspect, both ends of the relief portion in a direction perpendicular to the paper feed direction are preferably substantially parallel to a side end surface of the paper feed roller. According to this structure, the interval between both ends of the relief portion in the direction perpendicular to the paper feed direction and the side end surface of the paper feed roller can be set to the minimum necessary level.

In the aforementioned paper feed cartridge according to the first aspect, the length of the relief portion in a direction perpendicular to the paper feed direction is preferably larger than the length of the paper feed roller in the direction perpendicular to the paper feed direction. According to this structure, the paper feed roller can be reliably so formed as not to come into contact with the relief portion in relation to the direction perpendicular to the paper feed direction.

In the aforementioned paper feed cartridge according to the first aspect, an end of the relief portion opposite to the paper feed direction is preferably so formed as not to come into contact with the paper feed roller when the paper push-up member is pushed up in a push-up direction in a state receiving no papers thereon. According to this structure, the paper push-up member and the paper feed roller can be prevented from coming into contact with each other also when no papers are placed on the paper storage member.

In the aforementioned paper feed cartridge according to the first aspect, the relief portion is preferably hole-shaped, and an end of the hole-shaped relief portion in a paper feed direction is preferably arranged between the axis of the paper feed roller and the outermost peripheral portion of the paper feed roller in the paper feed direction in plan view. According to this structure, the hole-shaped relief portion of the minimum necessary size is provided only on the portion of the paper push-up member coming into contact with the paper feed roller, whereby the paper push-up member can be more inhibited from reduction in the force for pushing up the papers due to reduction of the area for supporting the papers resulting from the provision of the relief portion. Further, the hole-shaped relief portion is so provided that the size thereof can be reduced as compared with a notched relief portion.

In this case, the paper feed roller is preferably substantially rectangularly formed in plan view, and the hole-shaped relief portion is preferably also substantially rectangularly formed in plan view. According to this structure, the hole-shaped relief portion of the minimum necessary size is provided only on the portion of the paper push-up member coming into contact with the paper feed roller rectangular in plan view, whereby the paper push-up member can be more inhibited from reduction in the force for pushing up the papers due to reduction of the area for supporting the papers resulting from the provision of the relief portion.

In the aforementioned paper feed cartridge including the hole-shaped relief portion, ends of the hole-shaped relief portion in the paper feed direction and a direction opposite to the paper feed direction are preferably so formed as not to come into contact with the paper feed roller when the paper push-up member is pushed up in a push-up direction in a state receiving no papers thereon. According to this structure, the hole-shaped relief portion can prevent the paper push-up member and the paper feed roller from coming into contact with each other also when no papers are placed on the paper storage member.

A paper feed cartridge according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises a paper storage member for storing papers supplied to an image generating apparatus and a paper push-up member provided on the bottom of the paper storage member for receiving the papers thereon and pushing up the papers to a position for coming into contact with a paper feed roller provided on a paper supply port of the image generating apparatus, while the paper push-up member integrally includes a notched or hole-shaped relief portion for preventing the paper push-up member from coming into contact with the paper feed roller when rotating in a paper push-up direction, a protrusion for further pushing up the papers provided on a surface opposite to the surface receiving the papers and an engaging portion provided on an end opposite to the relief portion for rotatably engaging with the paper storage member, and an end of the relief portion of the paper push-up member opposite to a paper feed direction is arranged between the axis of the paper feed roller of the image generating apparatus and the outermost peripheral portion of the paper feed roller opposite to the paper feed direction in plan view.

As hereinabove described, the paper feed cartridge according to the second aspect comprises the paper push-up member pushing up the papers to the position for coming into contact with the paper feed roller provided on the paper supply port of the image generating apparatus while the paper push-up member integrally includes the notched or hole-shaped relief portion for preventing the paper push-up member from coming into contact with the paper feed roller when rotating in the paper push-up direction so that the relief portion can prevent the paper push-up member and the paper feed roller from coming into contact with each other, whereby the paper feed roller can be prevented from abrasion resulting from friction between the paper push-up member and the paper feed roller with no additional member for preventing the paper feed roller from abrasion. Thus, abrasion of the paper feed roller can be suppressed without increasing the number of components. Further, the relief portion integrally provided on the paper push-up member can suppress noise resulting from friction between the paper push-up member and the paper feed roller, whereby the paper feed roller can be prevented from noise without increasing the number of components.

In the paper feed cartridge according to the second aspect, further, the end of the relief portion of the paper push-up member opposite to the paper feed direction is arranged between the axis of the paper feed roller of the image generating apparatus and the outermost peripheral portion of the paper feed roller opposite to the paper feed direction in plan view so that the relief portion of the minimum necessary size is provided only on the portion coming into contact with the paper feed roller, whereby the paper push-up member can be inhibited from reduction in the force for pushing up the papers due to reduction of the area for supporting the papers resulting from the provision of the relief portion. Therefore, the papers can be reliably brought into contact with the paper feed roller. In addition, the paper push-up member further integrally includes the protrusion for further pushing up the papers on the surface opposite to the surface receiving the papers so that the papers can be further pushed up by the extension length of the protrusion, whereby the papers can be further reliably brought into contact with the paper feed roller. Further, the protrusion is so integrally provided on the paper push-up member that increase in the number of components can be suppressed. The paper push-up member further integrally includes the engaging portion provided on the end opposite to the relief portion for rotatably engaging with the paper storage member, whereby increase in the number of components can be suppressed even when the engaging portion is provided.

In the aforementioned paper feed cartridge according to the second aspect, both ends of the relief portion in a direction perpendicular to the paper feed direction are preferably substantially parallel to a side end surface of the paper feed roller. According to this structure, the interval between both ends of the relief portion in the direction perpendicular to the paper feed direction and the side end surface of the paper feed roller can be set to the minimum necessary level.

In the aforementioned paper feed cartridge according to the second aspect, the length of the relief portion in a direction perpendicular to the paper feed direction is preferably larger than the length of the paper feed roller in the direction perpendicular to the paper feed direction. According to this structure, the paper feed roller can be reliably so formed as not to come into contact with the relief portion in relation to the direction perpendicular to the paper feed direction.

In the aforementioned paper feed cartridge according to the second aspect, an end of the relief portion opposite to the paper feed direction is preferably so formed as not to come into contact with the paper feed roller when the paper push-up member is pushed up in a push-up direction in a state receiving no papers thereon. According to this structure, the paper push-up member and the paper feed roller can be prevented from coming into contact with each other also when no papers are placed on the paper storage member.

In the aforementioned paper feed cartridge according to the second aspect, the relief portion is preferably hole-shaped, and an end of the hole-shaped relief portion in a paper feed direction is preferably arranged between the axis of the paper feed roller and the outermost peripheral portion of the paper feed roller in the paper feed direction in plan view. According to this structure, the hole-shaped relief portion of the minimum necessary size is provided only on the portion of the paper push-up member coming into contact with the paper feed roller, whereby the paper push-up member can be more inhibited from reduction in the force for pushing up the papers due to reduction of the area for supporting the papers resulting from the provision of the relief portion. Further, the hole-shaped relief portion is so provided that the size thereof can be reduced as compared with a notched relief portion.

In this case, the paper feed roller is preferably substantially rectangularly formed in plan view, and the hole-shaped relief portion is preferably also substantially rectangularly formed in plan view. According to this structure, the hole-shaped relief portion of the minimum necessary size is provided only on the portion coming into contact with the paper feed roller rectangular in plan view, whereby the paper push-up member can be more inhibited from reduction in the force for pushing up the papers due to reduction of the area for supporting the papers resulting from the provision of the relief portion.

In the aforementioned paper feed cartridge including the hole-shaped relief portion, ends of the hole-shaped relief portion in the paper feed direction and a direction opposite to the paper feed direction are preferably so formed as not to come into contact with the paper feed roller when the paper push-up member is pushed up in a push-up direction in a state receiving no papers thereon. According to this structure, the hole-shaped relief portion can prevent the paper push-up member and the paper feed roller from coming into contact with each other also when no papers are placed on the paper storage member.

The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall structure of a paper feed cartridge according to a first embodiment of the present invention in a state mounted on a sublimatic printer;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the overall structure of the paper feed cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention in a state dismounted from the sublimatic printer;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a lid member of the paper feed cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention in a slid state;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the lid member of the paper feed cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention in an opened state;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the paper feed cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a paper storage member of the paper feed cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are plan views of a paper push-up member of the paper feed cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view for illustrating an operation of the paper feed cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention in the state mounted on the sublimatic printer;

FIG. 10 is a plan view for illustrating a portion where the paper push-up member of the paper feed cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention and a paper feed roller of the sublimatic printer come into contact with each other;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged sectional view for illustrating the portion where the paper push-up member of the paper feed cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention and the paper feed roller of the sublimatic printer come into contact with each other;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view for illustrating an operation of feeding papers placed on the paper push-up member of the paper feed cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention to the sublimatic printer;

FIG. 13 is a plan view for illustrating a portion where a paper push-up member of a paper feed cartridge according to a second embodiment of the present invention and a paper feed roller of a sublimatic printer come into contact with each other; and

FIG. 14 is an enlarged sectional view for illustrating the portion where the paper push-up member of the paper feed cartridge according to the second embodiment of the present invention and the paper feed roller of the sublimatic printer come into contact with each other.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention are now described with reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment

The structure of a paper feed cartridge 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11. According to the first embodiment, the present invention is applied to the paper feed cartridge 1 mounted on a sublimatic printer 10 employed as an exemplary image generating apparatus.

The paper feed cartridge 1 according to the first embodiment is detachably mountable on the sublimatic printer 10, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the sublimatic printer 10 is provided with a paper supply port 10 a supplying papers 20 (see FIG. 1) stored in the paper feed cartridge 1, and constituted of paper separating members 11 separating the papers 20 supplied to the sublimatic printer 10 one by one from each other, a push-up lever 12 pushing up a paper push-up member 4 described later, a paper feed roller 13 for transporting the papers 20 into the sublimatic printer 10 and two paper discharge rollers 14 discharging printed papers 20 from the sublimatic printer 10. The paper feed roller 13 is substantially rectangular in plan view, as shown in FIG. 11. The paper feed cartridge 1 is constituted of a paper storage member 2, an openable/closable lid member 3 and the paper push-up member 4, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5. The paper push-up member 4 is pushed up by the push-up lever 12, thereby bringing the papers 20 into contact with the paper feed roller 13 of the sublimatic printer 10.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the paper storage member 2 is so provided as to store the papers 20 (see FIG. 1) supplied to the sublimatic printer 10, and constituted of a bottom surface and side surfaces extending perpendicularly to the bottom surface. The bottom surface of the paper storage member 2 is constituted of a paper receiving portion 2 a receiving the papers 20 (see FIG. 1) thereon, recess portions 2 b fitted to the paper separating members 11 (see FIG. 2) of the sublimatic printer 10, mounting holes 2 c engaging with engaging portions 4 a of the paper push-up member 4 described later and a notch 2 d. The notch 2 d is so provided as to prevent the aforementioned push-up lever 12 (see FIG. 2) of the sublimatic printer 10 from coming into contact with the bottom surface of the paper storage member 2. In other words, the push-up lever 12 of the sublimatic printer 10 is located under the notch 2 d and so formed as to push up the paper push-up member 4 through the notch 2 d, as shown in FIG. 6.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, printer insertion portions 2 e inserted into the paper supply port 10 a (see FIG. 2) are formed on an end of the paper storage portion 2 along arrow X. On portions corresponding to the printer insertion portions 2 e, outwardly protruding engaging sections 2 f are provided on both side surfaces located along arrow Y respectively. The engaging sections 2 f engage with engaging portions (not shown) provided on the sublimatic printer 10 while the recess portions 2 b provided on the bottom surface of the paper storage member 2 and the paper separating members 11 (see FIG. 2) of the sublimatic printer 10 are fitted with each other, so that the paper feed cartridge 1 is mounted on the paper supply port 10 a.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, further, mounting portions 2 g for the lid member 3 are provided on both side surfaces of the paper storage member 2 along arrow Y. The mounting portions 2 g for the lid member 3 are opposed to the outer sides of the side surfaces of the paper storage member 2 along arrow Y, and arranged at a prescribed interval from the side surfaces. Further, the mounting portions 2 g for the lid member 3 are coupled to the paper storage member 2 by coupling portions 2 h. First ends of the outer side surfaces of the two mounting portions 2 g are so corrugated as to enable the user to grasp and slide the same. Shaft portions 2 i engaging with slots 3 a of the lid member 3 described later are provided on second ends of the inner side surfaces of the two mounting portions 2 g. A paper urging portion 2 j is provided on one of the side surfaces of the paper storage member 2 along arrow Y, while a protrusion 2 k is provided on a side of the paper urging portion 2 j opposite to the corresponding mounting portion 2 g. This protrusion 2 k is pressed by a press portion 3 c of the lid member 3 described later, thereby enabling the paper urging portion 2 j to urge the papers 20 placed on the paper receiving portion 2 a toward the other second side surface of the paper receiving portion 2 a along arrow Y. Thus, the paper urging portion 2 j so urges the papers 20 placed on the paper receiving portion 2 a as to inhibit the papers 20 from deviating along arrow Y in the paper receiving portion 2 a.

As shown in FIG. 5, the lid member 3 is so provided as to inhibit dust etc. from entering the paper storage member 2. This lid member 3 has side surfaces perpendicular to the bottom surface of the paper storage member 2 on both ends along arrow Y respectively. The slots 3 a engaging with the aforementioned shaft portions 2 i of the paper storage member 2 respectively are formed on first ends of both side surfaces of the lid member 3 respectively. Further, holes 3 b engaging with the engaging sections 2 f of the paper storage member 2 when the paper feed cartridge 1 is closed are formed on second ends of both side surfaces of the lid member 3 respectively. The press portion 3 c for pressing the protrusion 2 k of the paper urging portion 2 j is provided on the side surface of the lid member 3 opposite to the protrusion 3 c of the paper urging portion 2 j. The slots 3 a of the lid member 3 and the shaft portions 2 i (see FIG. 6) of the paper storage member 2 are fitted with each other slidably along arrow X, so that the lid member 3 is openable/closable along arrow A as shown in FIG. 4 in a slid state (see FIG. 3).

According to the first embodiment, the engaging portions 4 a rotatably engaging with the mounting holes 2 c of the paper storage member 2 are integrally formed on an end of the paper push-up member 4 opposite to a relief portion 4 b described later, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 8.

According to the first embodiment, the paper push-up member 4 is provided with the notched relief portion 4 b for preventing the paper push-up member 4 from coming into contact with the paper feed roller 13 when rotating in a paper push-up direction (along arrow C in FIG. 9) about the engaging portions 4 a, as shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9. More specifically, the relief portion 4 b is formed on the position where the paper push-up member 4 comes into contact with the paper feed roller 13 as shown in FIG. 10, while the length of the relief portion 4 b in the direction (along arrow Y) perpendicular to a paper feed direction (along arrow D) is rendered larger than the length of the paper feed roller 13 in the direction (along arrow Y) perpendicular to the paper feed direction (along arrow D), thereby preventing the paper push-up member 4 from coming into contact with the paper feed roller 13. Further, both ends of the notched relief portion 4 b in the direction (along arrow Y) perpendicular to the paper feed direction (along arrow D) are parallel to the side end surface of the paper feed roller 13.

According to the first embodiment, the relief portion 4 b of the paper push-up member 4 is so formed that an end 4 c of the relief portion 4 b opposite to the paper feed direction (along arrow D) of the paper feed roller 13 is arranged between the axis 100 of the paper feed roller 13 and the outermost peripheral portion 13 a of the paper feed roller 13 opposite to the paper feed direction (along arrow D) in plan view, as shown in FIG. 11. In other words, the relief portion 4 b is formed only on the minimum necessary portion where the paper feed roller 13 and the paper push-up member 4 come into contact with each other.

According to the first embodiment, the paper push-up member 4 is integrally provided with protrusions 4 d for further pushing up the papers 20 (see FIG. 1) on the surface opposite to the paper receiving portion 2 a of the paper storage member 2, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 8. These protrusions 4 d are formed on a position coming into contact with the push-up lever 12 of the sublimatic printer 10, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 9.

As shown in FIG. 6, the paper push-up member 4 is provided with notches 4 e corresponding to the recess portions 2 b of the paper storage member 2, in order to prevent the paper separating members 11 of the sublimatic printer 10 and the paper push-up member 4 from coming into contact with each other when the paper feed cartridge 1 is mounted on the sublimatic printer 10.

A paper feed operation for the sublimatic printer 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is now described with reference to FIGS. 2, 9, 10 and 12.

First, the lid member 3 of the paper cartridge 1 is so slid as to expose the regions (printer insertion portions 2 e) corresponding to the paper supply port 10 a while disengaging the engaging sections 2 f of the paper storage member 2 and the holes 3 b of the lid member 3 from each other, as shown in FIG. 2. Then, the engaging sections 2 f of the paper storage member 2 provided on the paper feed cartridge 1 engage with the engaging portions (not shown) provided on the sublimatic printer 10 while the paper separating members 11 of the sublimatic printer 10 are fitted into the recess portions 2 b of the paper storage member 2, thereby mounting the paper feed cartridge 1 on the paper supply port 10 a.

When a print operation is started, the push-up lever 12 rotates along B in association with gears (not shown) provided in the sublimatic printer 10, as shown in FIG. 12. An end of the push-up lever 12 pushes up the protrusions 4 d of the paper push-up member 4, whereby the paper push-up member 4 pushed up by the push-up lever 12 rotates along arrow C about the engaging portions 4 a. The papers 20 placed on the paper push-up member 4 come into contact with the paper feed roller 13, whereby the push-up lever 12 and the paper push-up member 4 stop rotating. Then, the paper feed roller 13 in contact with the papers 20 so rotates that the paper separating members 11 separate the papers 20 one by one from each other and thereafter supply the same to the sublimatic printer 10.

When the paper feed cartridge 1 stores no papers 20, the paper push-up member 4 is pushed up to the position for coming into contact with the paper feed roller 13, as shown in FIG. 9. At this time, the relief portion 4 b formed on the portion coming into contact with the paper feed roller 13 prevents the paper push-up member 4 from coming into contact with the paper feed roller 13, as shown in FIG. 10.

According to the first embodiment, as hereinabove described, the paper feed cartridge 1 comprises the paper push-up member 4 pushing up the papers 20 to the position for coming into contact with the paper feed roller 13 provided on the paper supply port 10 a of the sublimatic printer 10 while the paper push-up member 4 integrally includes the notched relief portion 4 b for preventing the paper push-up member 4 from coming into contact with the paper feed roller 13 when rotating in the paper push-up direction (along arrow C in FIG. 9) so that the relief portion 4 b can prevent the paper push-up member 4 and the paper feed roller 13 from coming into contact with each other, whereby the paper feed roller 13 can be prevented from abrasion resulting from friction between the paper push-up member 4 and the paper feed roller 13 with no additional member for preventing the paper feed roller 13 from abrasion. Thus, abrasion of the paper feed roller 13 can be suppressed without increasing the number of components. Further, the relief portion 4 b integrally provided on the paper push-up member 4 can suppress noise resulting from friction between the paper push-up member 4 and the paper feed roller 13, whereby the paper feed roller 13 can be prevented from noise without increasing the number of components.

According to the first embodiment, further, the end 4 c of the relief portion 4 b of the paper push-up member 4 opposite to the paper feed direction is arranged between the axis 200 of the paper feed roller 13 of the sublimatic printer 10 and the outermost peripheral portion 13 a of the paper feed roller 13 opposite to the paper feed direction (along arrow D in FIG. 11) in plan view (see FIG. 11) so that the relief portion 4 b of the minimum necessary size is provided only on the portion of the paper push-up member 4 coming into contact with the paper feed roller 13, whereby the paper push-up member 4 can be inhibited from reduction in the force for pushing up the papers 20. Therefore, the papers 20 can be reliably brought into contact with the paper feed roller 13.

According to the first embodiment, the paper push-up member 4 further integrally includes the protrusions 4 d for further pushing up the papers 20 on the surface opposite to the surface receiving the papers 20 so that the papers 20 can be further pushed up by the extension length of the protrusions 4 d, whereby the papers 20 can be further reliably brought into contact with the paper feed roller 13. Further, the protrusions 4 d are so integrally provided on the paper push-up member 4 that increase in the number of components can be suppressed.

According to the first embodiment, the paper push-up member 4 further integrally includes the engaging portions 4 a provided on the end opposite to the relief portion 4 b for rotatably engaging with the paper storage member 2, whereby increase in the number of components can be suppressed even when the engaging portions 4 a are provided.

According to the first aspect, both ends of the relief portion 4 d in the direction (along arrow Y) perpendicular to the paper feed direction (along arrow D) are substantially parallel to the side end surface of the paper feed roller 13, whereby the interval between both ends of the relief portion 4 b in the direction (along arrow Y) perpendicular to the paper feed direction (along arrow D) and the side end surface of the paper feed roller 13 can be set to the minimum necessary level.

According to the first embodiment, the length of the relief portion 4 b in the direction (along arrow Y) perpendicular to the paper feed direction (along arrow D) is larger than the length of the paper feed roller 13 in the direction (along arrow Y) perpendicular to the paper feed direction (along arrow D), whereby the paper feed roller 13 can be reliably so formed as not to come into contact with the relief portion 4 b in relation to the direction (along arrow Y) perpendicular to the paper feed direction (along arrow D).

According to the first embodiment, the end 4 c of the relief portion 4 b opposite to the paper feed direction (along arrow D) is so formed as not to come into contact with the paper feed roller 13 when the paper push-up member 4 is pushed up in the push-up direction (along arrow B) in a state receiving no papers 20 thereon. According to this structure, the paper push-up member 4 and the paper feed roller 13 can be prevented from coming into contact with each other also when no papers 20 are placed on the paper storage member 2.

Second Embodiment

The structure of a paper feed cartridge according to a second embodiment of the present invention is now described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14. A paper feed operation according to the second embodiment is similar to that according to the aforementioned first embodiment, and hence redundant description is omitted. The structure of the paper feed cartridge according to the second embodiment other than a paper push-up member 40 is similar to that of the aforementioned first embodiment.

The paper push-up member 40 mounted on the paper feed cartridge according to the second embodiment is integrally provided with engaging portions 40 a rotatably engaging with mounting holes 2 c of a paper storage member 2, as shown in FIG. 13.

According to the second embodiment, the paper push-up member 40 is further provided with a hole-shaped relief portion 40 b for preventing the paper push-up member 40 from coming into contact with a paper feed roller 13 dissimilarly to the aforementioned first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14.

As shown in FIG. 13, the relief portion 40 b of the paper push-up member 40 is so formed that an end 40 c of the relief portion 40 b in a paper feed direction (along arrow D) is arranged between the axis 100 of the paper feed roller 13 and the outermost peripheral portion 13 b of the paper feed roller 13 in the paper feed direction (along arrow D) in plan view while another end 40 d of the relief portion 40 b in a direction opposite to the paper feed direction (along arrow D) is arranged between the axis 100 of the paper feed roller 13 and the outermost peripheral portion 13 a of the paper feed roller 13 in the direction opposite to the paper feed direction (along arrow D). The hole-shaped relief portion 40 is substantially rectangularly formed. Further, both ends of the hole-shaped relief portion 40 b in a direction (along arrow Y) perpendicular to the paper feed direction (along arrow D) are substantially parallel to the side end surface of the paper feed roller 13.

As shown in FIG. 13, the paper push-up member 40 is further provided with notches 40 e corresponding to recess portions 2 b of the paper storage member 2, in order to prevent the paper push-up member 40 from coming into contact with paper separating members 11 of the sublimatic printer 10 when the paper feed cartridge according to the second embodiment is mounted on the sublimatic printer 10. As shown in FIG. 14, the paper push-up member 40 is further integrally provided with a protrusion 40 f for further pushing up papers 20 (see FIG. 1) on a surface opposite to that facing the paper roller 13. This protrusion 40 f is formed on a position for coming into contact with a push-up lever 12 of the sublimatic printer 10. Ends 40 c and 40 d of the hole-shaped relief portion 40 b in the paper feed direction (along arrow D in FIG. 13) and the direction opposite to the paper feed direction (along arrow D in FIG. 13) are so formed as not to come into contact with the paper feed roller 13 when the paper push-up member 40 is pushed up in a push-up direction (along arrow B in FIG. 9) by the push-up lever 12, as shown in FIG. 14.

According to the second embodiment, as hereinabove described, the paper push-up member 40 integrally includes the hole-shaped relief portion 40 b for preventing the paper push-up member 40 from coming into contact with the paper feed roller 13 so that the hole-shaped relief portion 40 b can prevent the paper push-up member 40 from coming into contact with the paper feed roller 13, whereby the paper feed roller 13 can be prevented from abrasion resulting from friction between the paper push-up member 40 and the paper feed roller 13 with no additional member for preventing the paper feed roller 13 from abrasion. Thus, abrasion of the paper feed roller 13 can be suppressed without increasing the number of components. Further, the area (contact area with the papers 20) of the hole-shaped relief portion 40 b according to the second embodiment for pushing up the papers 20 is increased as compared with the notched relief portion 4 b according to the aforementioned first embodiment, whereby the paper push-up member 40 can be more inhibited from reduction in the force for pushing up the papers 20 as compared with the paper push-up member 4 according to the first embodiment. Therefore, the papers 20 can be more reliably brought into contact with the paper feed roller 13. Further, the hole-shaped relief portion 40 b integrally provided on the paper push-up member 40 can suppress noise resulting from friction between the paper push-up member 40 and the paper feed roller 13, whereby the paper feed roller 13 can be prevented from noise without increasing the number of components.

According to the second embodiment, the end 40 c of the hole-shaped relief portion 40 b in the paper feed direction (along arrow D) is arranged between the axis 100 of the paper feed roller 13 and the outermost peripheral portion 13 b of the paper feed roller 13 in the paper feed direction (along arrow D) in plan view. Thus, the hole-shaped relief portion 40 b of the minimum necessary size is provided only on the portion coming into contact with the paper feed roller 13, whereby the paper push-up member 40 can be inhibited from reduction in the force for pushing up the papers 20 due to reduction of the area for supporting the papers 20 resulting from the provision of the relief portion 40 b. Further, the hole-shaped relief portion 40 b is so provided that the same can be inhibited from size increase as compared with the notched relief portion 4 b.

According to the second embodiment, the paper feed roller 13 is substantially rectangularly formed in plan view, while the hole-shaped relief portion 40 b is also substantially rectangularly formed in plan view. According to this structure, the hole-shaped relief portion 40 b of the minimum necessary size is provided only on the portion coming into contact with the paper feed roller 13 rectangular in plan view, whereby the paper push-up member 40 can be more inhibited from reduction in the force for pushing up the papers 20 due to reduction of the area for supporting the papers 20 resulting from the provision of the relief portion 40 b.

According to the second embodiment, the ends 40 c and 40 d of the hole-shaped relief portion 40 b in the paper feed direction (along arrow D) and the direction opposite to the paper feed direction (along arrow D) are so formed as not to come into contact with the paper feed roller 13 when the paper push-up member 40 is pushed up in the push-up direction (along arrow B) in a state receiving no papers 20 thereon. Thus, the hole-shaped relief portion 40 b can prevent the paper push-up member 40 from coming into contact with the paper feed roller 13 also when no papers 20 are placed on the paper storage member 2.

Although the present invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation, the spirit and scope of the present invention being limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

For example, while each of the aforementioned first and second embodiments is applied to the paper feed cartridge mounted on the sublimatic printer employed as an exemplary image generating apparatus, the present invention is not restricted to this but is also applicable to a paper feed cartridge mounted on another image generating apparatus other than the sublimatic printer.

While the paper push-up member is integrally provided with the protrusion(s) and the engaging portions in each of the aforementioned first embodiments, the present invention is not restricted to this but the protrusion(s) and the engaging portions may alternatively be provided independently of the paper push-up member respectively.

While the relief portion of the paper push-up member is formed only on the portion coming into contact with the paper feed roller of the sublimatic printer in each of the aforementioned first and second embodiments, the present invention is not restricted to this but the relief portion may alternatively be formed to be larger than the paper feed roller in plan view. 

1. A paper feed cartridge comprising: a paper storage member for storing papers supplied to an image generating apparatus; and a paper push-up member provided on the bottom of said paper storage member for receiving said papers thereon and pushing up said papers to a position for coming into contact with a paper feed roller provided on a paper supply port of said image generating apparatus, wherein said paper push-up member integrally includes a notched or hole-shaped relief portion for preventing said paper push-up member from coming into contact with said paper feed roller when rotating in a paper push-up direction.
 2. The paper feed cartridge according to claim 1, wherein an end of said relief portion of said paper push-up member opposite to a paper feed direction is arranged between the axis of said paper feed roller of said image generating apparatus and the outermost peripheral portion of said paper feed roller opposite to said paper feed direction in plan view.
 3. The paper feed cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said paper push-up member further integrally includes a protrusion for further pushing up said papers on a surface opposite to the surface receiving said papers.
 4. The paper feed cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said paper push-up member further integrally includes an engaging portion provided on an end opposite to said relief portion for rotatably engaging with said paper storage member.
 5. The paper feed cartridge according to claim 1, wherein both ends of said relief portion in a direction perpendicular to said paper feed direction are substantially parallel to a side end surface of said paper feed roller.
 6. The paper feed cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the length of said relief portion in a direction perpendicular to said paper feed direction is larger than the length of said paper feed roller in said direction perpendicular to said paper feed direction.
 7. The paper feed cartridge according to claim 1, wherein an end of said relief portion opposite to said paper feed direction is so formed as not to come into contact with said paper feed roller when said paper push-up member is pushed up in a push-up direction in a state receiving no said papers thereon.
 8. The paper feed cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said relief portion is hole-shaped, and an end of said hole-shaped relief portion in a paper feed direction is arranged between the axis of said paper feed roller and the outermost peripheral portion of said paper feed roller in said paper feed direction in plan view.
 9. The paper feed cartridge according to claim 7, wherein said paper feed roller is substantially rectangularly formed in plan view, and said hole-shaped relief portion is also substantially rectangularly formed in plan view.
 10. The paper feed cartridge according to claim 8, wherein ends of said hole-shaped relief portion in said paper feed direction and a direction opposite to said paper feed direction are so formed as not to come into contact with said paper feed roller when said paper push-up member is pushed up in a push-up direction in a state receiving no said papers thereon.
 11. A paper feed cartridge comprising: a paper storage member for storing papers supplied to an image generating apparatus; and a paper push-up member provided on the bottom of said paper storage member for receiving said papers thereon and pushing up said papers to a position for coming into contact with a paper feed roller provided on a paper supply port of said image generating apparatus, wherein said paper push-up member integrally includes: a notched or hole-shaped relief portion for preventing said paper push-up member from coming into contact with said paper feed roller when rotating in a paper push-up direction, a protrusion for further pushing up said papers provided on a surface opposite to the surface receiving said papers, and an engaging portion provided on an end opposite to said relief portion for rotatably engaging with said paper storage member, and an end of said relief portion of said paper push-up member opposite to a paper feed direction is arranged between the axis of said paper feed roller of said image generating apparatus and the outermost peripheral portion of said paper feed roller opposite to said paper feed direction in plan view.
 12. The paper feed cartridge according to claim 11, wherein both ends of said relief portion in a direction perpendicular to said paper feed direction are substantially parallel to a side end surface of said paper feed roller.
 13. The paper feed cartridge according to claim 11, wherein the length of said relief portion in a direction perpendicular to said paper feed direction is larger than the length of said paper feed roller in said direction perpendicular to said paper feed direction.
 14. The paper feed cartridge according to claim 11, wherein an end of said relief portion opposite to said paper feed direction is so formed as not to come into contact with said paper feed roller when said paper push-up member is pushed up in a push-up direction in a state receiving no said papers thereon.
 15. The paper feed cartridge according to claim 11, wherein said relief portion is hole-shaped, and an end of said hole-shaped relief portion in a paper feed direction is arranged between the axis of said paper feed roller and the outermost peripheral portion of said paper feed roller in said paper feed direction in plan view.
 16. The paper feed cartridge according to claim 15, wherein said paper feed roller is substantially rectangularly formed in plan view, and said hole-shaped relief portion is also substantially rectangularly formed in plan view.
 17. The paper feed cartridge according to claim 15, wherein ends of said hole-shaped relief portion in said paper feed direction and a direction opposite to said paper feed direction are so formed as not to come into contact with said paper feed roller when said paper push-up member is pushed up in a push-up direction in a state receiving no said papers thereon. 